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Sunday, February 20, 2011

I want to share a little story with you about what happened at work the other day.

I was chatting with a co-working, and he was telling me about his future dreams. Believe it or not working for eBay was not his life’s dream. He want to be an actor, yes you heard me an actor, and why not. Who am I to say it couldn’t happen. I looked at his youthful face, saw the twinkle of life in his eyes and know that he could be anything he put his mind to. I encouraged him to follow his dreams no matter what others might say.

I figure those who criticize and nay say, only do so because they don’t have the courage to follow their own dreams. I explained that life is better lived without regrets, and that the biggest regret he will ever have is not trying. He thanked me for the encouragements and announced that he was going to do it. He was going to write his dreams down and start making plans. I loved his energy; I could see the wheels turning and his determination growing.﻿﻿

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As I turned back to my work at hand I could not get the conversation out of my head. That's when I realized that I did not practice what I preached. How many times had I thought about making a change? So I decided to take my advice and speak my dreams out loud and work towards making them come true. What are my dreams you may ask, well they are to CREATE, leaving this place a lovelier place than when I arrived.

So I did it, I gathered up my belongings said my goodbyes and quit my job. It was time for me to start down a new path. I went home put together some paintings and sewing projects I had completed, typed up a letter of introduction and sent it all off to a publisher, remember no regrets.

Talk about walking the walk, I did it, I took my own advise. I've always heard that when one door closes another one opens, well I sure hope so.

When I walked out of that eBay building that day I took a deep breath, filled my lungs with the sweet promise of life and all that it can be. I've been painting non-stop ever since. Ideas started to wash over me like an oceans wave. My mind was free to accept all the possibilities; there is no room for fear and uncertainty.

My next plan of action is to open and Etsy Store and then hit the pavement and start peddling my art. And instead of working for eBay, I will put eBay to work for me.

Am I scared? Heck yea, but it feels great, I feel a live and full of energy again. The good Lord gave me these talents and abilities it's now time to shine and make him proud. In the one week I’ve been FREE, I’ve completed four paintings and multiple drawings for future sewing projects. I also decided to start designing and sewing my own clothing. I want to get that perfect fit for the gal that is a little more endowed up top, no more straining buttons and seams for me. I want light and airy, comfy cozy without looking sloppy and over sized. I'll keep you posted with my designs.

I also intend to work on some attractive little boy clothing for my grandson. Every time I go shopping for him it all looks the same and then you look over at the girls department and you’re wowed with colors and options. I tell you that grandson of mine is going to be styling his grandmas designs pretty soon now.

Plans are also underway to set up all of my sewing and art in one studio inside the house, yea no more chilly garage. I'll also keep you posted on the making of my studio. Oh yea did I mention that I am recently unemployed and not drawing a paycheck? So I’ll have to make do with all the fabric and supplies that I have on hand. It's time to get real creative, I love a challenge.

I don't know if this was the practical move for me, but I do know that it feels like the right move for me. I've been blessed with an amazing husband, encouraging children and great friends that tell me I can do anything I set my mind to. They all know how stubborn I can be. My dad use to say, “Tootsie you never have liked to take "no" for an answer, and baby girl it has served you well because you never stop trying”.

And most importantly, who am I kidding if I’m not at work every day then I can spend more time with baby Jacks my favorite (and only) grandson.

I pray you wish me well and I thank you for all your friendship and support. Remember to write down your dreams and every chance you get, in your own way start making them come true.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Ok, I’ve got spring fever and can't wait for that dang ground hog to "not" see his shadow. Well its official there was no shadow and Phil is predicting and early spring. You don’t know just how much that thrills me to the tips of my tiny crocus peeking through the snow.

All this talk of spring has got me going with thoughts of a lush healthy garden of flowers and vegetables.

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my mothers day wish

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Believe it or not I have been prepping all winter for spring. I am a big believer in compost and although its winter we are fortunate enough to be able to obtain fresh fruit and veggies every day through our local grocery story. Although I myself can’t eat all the fruit and veggies I want, my family loves them. So all winter I have been composting in my freezer, yes I said my freezer, let me explain. I don’t yet have a compost bin (mothers day is coming up and I've already put in my request) anyways, I've found a great way to compost year round in a smaller and less aromatic way. What you will need is an old blender, I found mine at a second hand store, zip lock freezer bags and a sharpie marker.

What you do is when your preparing a meal and you have biodegradable left over’s like peelings and such you toss them into the blender with a bit of water and purée. Pour the pulp purée into the freezer bag clearly mark it with the date and “compost". That's it it's that simple and when spring time rolls around your ready to feed your garden. Just after May, or mother’s day is the best time to start your seedlings and transplants. Place a little pulp in the hole before placing in your new seedlings and or transplants, finish filling in the dirt and then top it off with a sound watering of your liquid pulp and water. You'll find that you get less order while composting and the blender does all the breaking down for you. Once the weather permits you can do your compost puree daily and just pour it fresh on the garden, no more freezer bags until winter.

I hope you enjoyed my little compost tips and remember with compost "no protein" in the mix, only natural ingredients I also have another little tip for all you composter on a large scale. If you have a compost barrel and its getting a little stinky, just add paper. That’s right shredded paper, I have a paper shredder in my home office and I save all the clipping (the shredded paper). Toss the shredded paper into the composter and mix. This will help to eliminate odor and speed up the break down. Someone once told me you could put nitrogen in the mix to help with odor and break down, I have just never done it.

I would love to hear all your ideas on small composting to full size barrels. Any suggestion for odor and rodent control would be greatly welcomed.